Reincarnated Into A Dead Woman's Body In Another World-Chapter 170: Arc 4, Act I, - 15: Matters of Family

From the leaves of shrubs to the tallest trees, droplets of water bounced and battered from above. Every drop of the morning rain echoed its own voice, all together gurgling a symphony of white noise.

Not uncommon weather for the city of Cravolta and yet it had gained the attention of the Thundering Blade. The sound of the storm and chaos hummed a sweet melody the blonde could not look away from.

Through each window down the halls, atop the balconies and through the lush gardens—the blindingly violent rain gave a white glow as Jotou yawned into a smile.

"There’s that smile," Hotaru’s voice broke Jotou out of her trance. "What has you all chipper?" Hotaru’s ear bent.

Jotou glanced back to the windows, more Royal Guards and staff whizzing back and forth in the morning. "It’s cold; pleasantly cold.

I wouldn’t mind if the Sun never shined again. The storm, the wind, the rain—I like it too much. And I just feel good about today; ready to take on whatever the world throws at me," Jotou looked back to the redhead.

Hotaru hummed softly, "Things are looking up. Let’s hope everything with the council goes well." Hotaru squinted before reaching for Jotou’s head.

"Hey, what’re you-" Jotou dodged slightly.

"Hang on will you?" Hotaru held the tie keeping the blonde’s ponytail together and tucked all the loose strands into it quickly, "There."

Jotou blushed, catching a whiff of the redhead’s sea-dandelion scent. "Okay, there’s people passing by, don’t just do that..."

"Oh, am I embarrassing you?" Hotaru gave a close-lipped grin. She then poked Jotou’s cheek, "No makeup? We’re going to an important meeting."

"I have no clue how to use half the things on that vanity, so I’d rather go to the briefing without looking like I dipped my face in paint cans."

"You could’ve asked for my help. After the fire burned most of our stuff, the only time you wore it-"

"Was when you forced me to wear some of yours when leaving Kria? I remember."

"All I did was apply some powder and some blush, no need to resent me," Hotaru swayed her tail, "And the room had a much wider selection. I could practice on you and teach you."

"Pass."

Hotaru glared, "You’re lucky you don’t have to wear much. I on the other hand-"

"Look fine without it too. I don’t know what you’re worrying about."

"Well, thanks, but that isn’t the point. It’s to show, etiquette and sophistication. This is a palace after all," Hotaru fluttered her mascara applied lashes and light eyeliner.

Jotou faced the rain with a sigh. Hotaru leaned forward with her hands held behind her back and glanced at the blonde, "Don’t tell me I look worse now?" her fangs glistened—the makeup making her face pop out more...

Jotou pouted, "No... but-"

"But what? What spiteful little smart-assed comment are you going to come back with?" Hotaru hopped forward a little in her simple blue gown.

Jotou leered, "Hmph."

"That’s it~?"

"Shut up will you?" Jotou’s face turned red, as the staff walking by would glance in their direction, giving little smiles.

"Jotou! Finally," Daiyu called over from the foyer. Jotou quickened her pace to which Hotaru snickered and followed behind.

Feyan flipped pages on his clipboard whilst Daiyu stood, completely dolled up. Her long sleeves trailed along the floor alongside her green dress.

She raised her hand as a dozen bangles of various gold colourings jingled; her head adorned with a pale-gold circlet with amethysts and necklaces dangled around her neck. It was a lot and at the same time, just enough.

"I see you’re going to work as the city’s bell tower," Jotou raised a brow.

"Ha, ha," Daiyu’s jewellery all rattled as she made one turn to her right, "At least I’m not wearing the same thing since yesterday."

"It’s forever clean, why wouldn’t I? I’m here as the Thundering Blade, this is kinda like my uniform."

"Don’t listen to her, she’s in a mood. You look amazing; like a princess I suppose," Hotaru remarked.

"Thank you," Daiyu hummed, "I’ve gotten used to the weight of these things," she raised her arms with ease.

"Good morning to you both! Are Detective Namora and Ms Asobi with you?" Feyan looked up.

"No. Asobi should be up, but the other one’s probably still rolling around in bed," Jotou relayed.

"I see, I will send someone to check again then," Feyan made a mental note, now facing up, he wore the same looking suit; except it all matched Daiyu’s dress colours.

"Feyan’s been worried about everything all morning."

"Correct me if I’m wrong, but is Feyan the head of everything?" Hotaru’s ears pricked, "I thought you were just the royal advisor."

"Well you see, I sort of have become the impromptu palace-keeper and manage a lot of people and also deal with all the scheduling. I am trying to find people appropriate for different tasks, however-"

"Feyan’s a bit of a workaholic and a perfectionist. If he wants to handle everything, let him," Daiyu rolled her eyes.

"I know, when to take a step back and relax my lady, I am not so engrossed that I do not know when to take a break," he protested.

"Liar."

"You did not," Feyan checked his feet, "I swear I did not see you tap your feet princess."

"Didn’t need to; anyway, Feyan’s basically running everything cause he wants to. Trust me, it took me a while to make him step down from doing a lotta things as it is."

"I could manage the grand library as well, you would just not allow it," Feyan knitted his brows.

"What’s been worrying you all morning then?" Jotou glanced to him.

"Ah, that..." Feyan put down his clipboard, "Apparently, my eldest brother will be coming in place of my father, the Baron of Tel Karbalad. It has me a tad anxious.

I have not seen any of my family ever since I was appointed here. And, of course that," Feyan pointed to the windows, "does not help..."

"The rain?" Hotaru squinted.

"Oh, you two haven’t seen it, come on," Daiyu grabbed Jotou and Hotaru by the wrist in each hand and pulled them along to the window.

The enormous front doors of the palace was shut tight, many Royal Guards patrolling the foyer alone. Through the giant windows, Daiyu peered out.

Jotou and Hotaru followed along, attempting to see past the glow of the rain. Royal Guard were stationed outside in a line, all holding up umbrellas.

The front yard had tapes around the edges; only the brown-bricked path around the gold-spewing fountain was free of restrictions.

However, past the tape were hundreds and hundreds of multicoloured umbrellas, crowding every edge. Oversized cameras on tripods, notepads and pens, all at the ready.

"That’s... a lot of reporters," Hotaru’s ears folded and eyes bubbled.

"The paparazzi’s wild, I’ll tell ya," Daiyu replied.

"Hopefully none of the guests have epilepsy from those accordion-looking cameras..." Jotou raised a brow.

"Folding cameras," Daiyu corrected, "And they’re all black and white. Take a selfie and you’ll go blind for a year."

"A selfie?" Hotaru turned to Jotou.

"Our world has, telephones that are mobile and have tiny cameras on them we can point at ourselves and take pictures."

Her ears pricked, "And I’m assuming they have colours?"

"Pretty much," Daiyu shrugged.

"The stories of your technology never fail to amuse me."

Daiyu’s eyes shifted between the two next to her, "So... you two are the ones who shared the room huh?" a grin curled.

"Would you all mind n-not fogging up the freshly cleaned windows?" Feyan stammered.

"Sorry Feyan, we’re done here anyway," Jotou gave no glance to the princess as she walked back to Feyan.

Hotaru’s eyes darted elsewhere, her face a little red before she smiled and followed Jotou. A devious glint bloomed in Daiyu’s irises; something was concocting in that head of hers...

"So, what was this about your eldest brother?" Jotou queried.

"Uh, he will be one of the guests among many; for the briefing, not the breakfast. Though, there will be guests at the breakfast as well mind you.

Today is an important day, many topics to discuss. Guests from all over Cravolta will be arriving and we will also need to send reports of the meeting to the other nations; including the Tri-Regime of Iniquity."

"Speaking of which, why wasn’t a messenger ever sent earlier to Hartamat; within those two weeks?" Hotaru folded her arms.

"I will cover that in the briefing. However, to put it simply, it was a lapse in judgement."

"See! Everyone’s awake!" Asobi pointed while holding down her hat before she broke into a sprint towards the Foyer, "Race you there!"

Fumeko wore her usual pinafore and poofy-shouldered white shirt—her headband gleaming above her twin-tails. Though, her face simply looked, more polished... Perhaps through illusory means.

The illusions of heels on Asobi’s shoes clacked as she ran sticking her tongue out. With glazed over eyes the brunette was engulfed in shadows and reappeared next to the rest of them. "Is there coffee?"

"Yes, a plethora of drinks will be served. Uhm, Jotou," Feyan still grimaced an eye to say her name, "If you, require other clothing, there are multiple seamstresses to tailor wondrously unique outfits at your disposal; shall I, let them know?"

Daiyu snickered, "Damn, even Feyan knows you got no drip," all her jewellery jangled.

Jotou grumbled, tiny sparks flashing across her eyes, "I’ll be fine-"

"Do let them know, she’ll happily wear them," Hotaru held Jotou’s shoulders. Jotou went silent, still glaring. "I don’t suppose I can take advantage of that offer as well, could I?"

"No issue at all," Feyan perked up shaking his head, "That offer extends to you as well Detective Namora."

Fumeko leered, "What’s wrong with me huh?"

"Uh, nothing... Your outfit, looks comfortable, but it may not, p-present the... the-" Feyan halted and gulped to avoid the daggers in her eyes.

"Where’s the three hundred armite lordy-boy?"

"Oh, that... uh..."

"Three hundred what now?" Daiyu cocked a brow to Feyan.

"I may have, offered false promises in trying to convince them yesterday... Namely offering three hundred armite as reward," sweat formed on his brow.

"Well Feyan, you dug your own grave; you better make it happen."

"P-princess! I-I deeply apologize," Feyan turned to bow down to them, "I simply, cannot offer such a high reward so frivolously..."

"There’s no need Feyan," Hotaru pouted.

"Oh, there’s definitely need," Fumeko crossed her arms.

"I made it!" Asobi reached the five of them and held her knees to pant heavily.

"I think Meko’s right, we need that armite right now," Jotou closed her eyes.

"See?"

Feyan squeaked a little, "I... I will, see it done... somehow..."

"Both of you, stop it!"

"Ow!"

"Ah!" Jotou felt a spark go over her hair, but with the redhead quite literally holding onto her, she could not dodge Hotaru’s pinch to both her and Fumeko’s shoulders.

"Yeah, you don’t have to do it Feyan," to Daiyu’s words Feyan released a sigh.

"Hey, you’re supposed to be on my side here," Jotou peered to Daiyu.

"Thank you Daiyu," Hotaru’s ears flickered.

"Much obliged," Daiyu winked.

"Traitor," Jotou muttered under her breath.

"What were you guys talking about?" Asobi finally caught her breath.

"Mainly Feyan’s brother coming to the briefing," Daiyu replied.

"Who’s your brother?" Fumeko cocked a brow.

"The first Baron of Tel Karbalad; he will be substituting my father who I presume has some urgent business."

"If he’s the first, then who’s your father?"

"The titles get confusing, trust me," Daiyu raised her brows to the brunette.

"Right," Feyan breathed, "Tel Karbalad is a town in the province of Alsham. I am the fourth child in my family and the third son, as such, I am the third Baron of Tel Karbalad.

My father is the Baron of Tel Karbalad. His first son is the first Baron, second son the second Baron, the first daughter is the first Baroness after my mother and so on."

"Okay..." Fumeko scrunched her nose absorbing all the info, "Anyone else important coming?"

"Uh... just about everyone is important. A lot of ministers and governors from all the provinces; or the three provinces I should say. Northern Cravolta will not be joining us. They rarely ever do from what I have heard."

"So Galuvit, Cravolta and Alsham?" Jotou counted out.

"Precisely. I could give everyone a quick rundown of those attending if you would all like?"

The sound of heels echoed throughout the foyer, "I surely hope I am at the top of that list Lord Artevik," a velvety voice echoed alongside.

Daiyu straightened up immediately, swivelling her head around. Emerging from drizzles of sparkling water right beside them was a lady with braided auburn hair that cascaded down her right shoulder.

Pearls adorned her head—a pearl blue dress and silver jewellery with blue gems in similar abundance as Daiyu. Her invisibility faded as she gave a smile.

Her eyes a faded blue and skin a light tan. "Countess Keya..." Feyan turned to her, eyes widened. She chuckled with her lips sealed.